Draghi: ECB could give Greek bond profits to govts

Feb 9 (Reuters) - The European Central Bank could distribute the profits it makes from its Greek bond holdings to governments without breaking a ban on financing states, ECB President Mario Draghi said on Thursday.

Asked whether the central bank could sell its bond holdings to the EU bailout fund at the same value as it paid for them, Draghi indicated it would have to pass on the profits to governments when they are realised.

"The EFSF is governments. So if the ECB gives money to governments, that's monetary financing. If the ECB distributes part of its profits to its member countries as part of the capital key, that's not monetary financing," Draghi told a news conference after keeping interest rates on hold at 1.0 percent.